Unanswered Questions from the RB51 Situation

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July 12, 2019

As you may already know, the farmer’s milk was found to be contaminated with RB51 in January 2019. Although the issue has been resolved, the farmer knows that there is still confusion around this issue. He lost a good amount of customers and still gets questions about RB51 every so often.

So, the goal of this week’s news is to go back in time. Let’s review what happened and answer some questions that may still be outstanding.

When the farmer found out that his milk contained RB51, it was scary. He had two goals: (1) Solve the problem; and (2) Protect the farm and his customers’ access to farm food.

The farmer quickly decided to work with the Real Food Consumer Coalition. They did an excellent job dealing with government agencies and did their best to keep customers informed with accurate information and to answer their questions. Many thanks to RFCC!

Looking back, the farmer does wish he did a better job with customer service. I relay his deepest apologies for that. Much was learned through this situation. If there ever is a crisis again, it will likely be handled differently so our customers feel safe and confident with their food choices.

Now on to the story and unanswered questions.

What is RB51?

RB51 is a manmade strain of brucellosis that is used in the brucellosis vaccine.

How common is it for a human to be infected with RB51? With brucellosis?

According to the CDC, there are three reported RB51 cases since August 2017, and there are 80-100 reported cases of natural brucellosis in humans each year.

Did anyone get sick with RB51 from drinking Miller’s Bio Farm milk?

One of the farm’s customers became ill and went to the hospital. Once they disclosed they drank raw milk, they were tested for numerous blood borne pathogens. The RB51 test came back positive.

To date, this is the only positive RB51 test from someone who drank Miller’s Bio Farm milk.

Why did the milk have RB51 in it?

RB51 is specific to the brucellosis vaccine. Although rare, it is possible for a cow to shed RB51 in their milk.

How many cows on the farm had the brucellosis vaccine?

Four.

How many cows on the farm were shedding RB51?

One.

Does the farmer vaccinate his cows?

No, the farmer does not vaccinate his cows.

So, how did the cows get the brucellosis vaccine?

Many years ago, the farmer was converting his herd to 100% A2 cows. He purchased these four cows from another farm that did vaccinate them for brucellosis.

Did the farmer know these cows received a brucellosis vaccine?

No, he did not. That information was unfortunately not disclosed to him during the purchase. The farmer he purchased them from was also not aware of any such vaccine.

How did the farmer find out that the farm’s milk was contaminated with RB51?

When the RB51 human test came back positive, the customer let the farmer know. They also informed the NY State Department of Health and the CDC of the source of the milk. The farm was immediately put under quarantine.

Does the farmer’s milk still have RB51 in it?

No, absolutely not. The quarantine would not have been lifted is there was any chance of RB51 in the milk.

What happened to the four cows that received the brucellosis vaccine?

The one cow that was shedding was moved to a CDC testing facility. They are a bit stumped as to why she’s still shedding years after receiving the vaccine and would like to know more.

The three other cows that are not shedding are still on the farm. Their milk is not and will not be included in the bulk milk. The farmer is looking to relocate them to a conventional farm, but this will take some time.

What actions have been taken to prevent a situation like this again?

Well, gee, a lot.

First, the farmer will never buy cows without requesting all records including all veterinarians and vaccine records. He will not allow cows that have received the RB51 vaccine in his herd.

The farmer is now a certified raw milk producer by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. They will test his milk twice a year for numerous pathogens. They also require a licensed veterinarian to do yearly brucellosis tests for every cow.

The farmer also tests every batch of milk on site. These tests are for general bacteria count and help him diagnose and solve problems quickly.

And, of course, the farmer keeps his facilities and equipment spotless. This helps significantly in keeping the cows healthy and the milk safe.

You can learn more about the farmer’s raw milk safety practices here.

If you still have any outstanding questions, please let us know. Happy to help!

Farm Updates

From farm to fork: Understanding the value of sustainable pork

Raising Pork the Old-Fashioned Way: Miller's Bio Farm's Commitment to Quality At Miller's Bio Farm, we're not trying to reinvent the wheel, we're bringing back the farming practices that sustained communities for generations. As an Amish farm, we understand that good stewardship of the land and animals isn't just about business; it's about honoring creation and providing wholesome food for families. When you buy pork from us, you're getting more than just meat. You're getting the result of careful, intentional farming that puts the well-being of our animals, our land, and your family first. Let's be honest: most grocery store pork comes wrapped in pretty words like "natural" and "humanely raised," but these labels often don't mean much. It's easy to put nice words on a package, much harder to actually do the work of raising animals properly. We'd like to show you how we do things differently here at Miller's Bio Farm. What Makes Our Pork Different Good pork starts with good practices. For us, that means healthy soil, happy animals, responsible harvesting, and thoughtful management of everything that happens on our farm. Here's what that looks like in practice: Pasture-Raised the Way Nature Intended Pigs aren't meant to spend their lives standing on concrete in windowless buildings. They're curious, intelligent animals that need fresh air, sunshine, and room to express their natural behaviors, rooting in the dirt, foraging for food, and socializing with other pigs. On our farm, hogs live outdoors on pasture in the woods where they can do exactly that. We move them regularly to fresh ground, which keeps them healthy and gives the land time to rest and regenerate. This practice, sometimes called rotational grazing is farming wisdom that's been passed down for centuries. When pigs root and forage on fresh pasture, they're naturally fertilizing the soil and helping plants grow back stronger. The land becomes more fertile season after season, storing carbon and building topsoil instead of depleting it. No chemical fertilizers needed, just pigs doing what pigs do best. This kind of farming takes more work than confining animals in one place, but it produces better results for everyone involved: healthier pigs, healthier land, and better tasting pork. Raising Animals with Respect Our approach to animal care reflects our values as an Amish farming community. We believe animals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect throughout their lives. Processing with Care When harvest time comes, we work with a small processor who shares our commitment to humane treatment. Our animals are handled calmly and respectfully, with immediate stunning to ensure they feel no distress. This isn't just the right thing to do, it also affects meat quality. Animals that are stressed at slaughter produce tougher, less flavorful meat. Properly handled animals yield tender, delicious pork that you can taste the difference in. Studies also confirm what traditional farmers have long known: animals raised on pasture produce meat with better nutritional profiles, including higher omega-3 fatty acids and more vitamins. Wholesome Feed, No Shortcuts We raise heritage breed pigs, traditional breeds known for their hardiness and flavor. These animals thrive on pasture with supplemental non-GMO grain, and they don't need antibiotics or growth hormones to stay healthy. In industrial pork production, antibiotics are mixed into feed daily to prevent disease in overcrowded conditions. This practice is creating drug-resistant bacteria that threaten public health, a problem we don't contribute to. Our pigs build strong immune systems naturally through good nutrition, clean living conditions, and low-stress environments. It's the way farming worked for centuries before shortcuts became the norm. Caring for God's Creation As stewards of the land, we take seriously our responsibility to leave it better than we found it. That's not just good farming, it's part of our calling. Building Soil, Not Destroying It Industrial agriculture depletes soil through intensive tilling, chemical dependence, and continuous monoculture cropping. This approach might boost short-term production, but it's not sustainable. We farm differently. Our rotational grazing actually improves soil health year after year. As pigs move across pasture, they naturally incorporate organic matter into the ground. Rest periods allow plants to regrow with deeper roots, which prevents erosion and captures carbon from the atmosphere. The result is living, fertile soil teeming with beneficial microorganisms soil that produces nutritious forage without synthetic inputs. Handling Waste Responsibly Large scale pig operations often store waste in enormous lagoons that leak pollutants into water supplies and release harmful gases into the air. These systems create environmental and health problems for surrounding communities. Our approach couldn't be more different. Because our pigs are spread across pasture and woodlands in manageable groups, their manure distributes naturally as valuable fertilizer rather than concentrating into a waste problem. When winter weather requires us to bring pigs into shelter, we bed them deeply with straw or wood shavings. This creates a composting effect that safely breaks down manure without environmental contamination. We also plant diverse pasture species specifically chosen to absorb nutrients and maintain ecological balance. Not all pigs like to go in the open shelter in the winter time and that's perfectly fine with us! The Real Story Behind Your Pork Chop Many people wonder which type of meat is most environmentally friendly. The truth is, it's not so much about whether you're eating pork, beef, or chicken, it's about how that animal was raised. Take beef as an example. You've probably heard that cattle are terrible for the environment. That criticism applies to feedlot operations where thousands of cattle are confined in small spaces and fed grain-heavy diets. But cattle raised properly on well managed pasture actually improve the land and sequester carbon. The animal itself isn't the problem; the farming method is. The same principle applies to pork. Factory farmed pork has serious environmental and ethical problems. Pasture raised pork from a regenerative farm like ours is a completely different product. One challenge specific to pork is that pigs need grain as part of their diet, they can't survive on grass alone like cattle can. This means sustainable pork production requires access to sustainably grown grain, ideally non-GMO corn and soybeans from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture. On our farm, we're committed to sourcing feed from responsible growers who share our values of soil health, biodiversity, and chemical free farming. What You're Really Buying When you purchase pork from Miller's Bio Farm, you're not just buying bacon or pork chops. You're supporting a way of farming that's been proven over generations, one that respects animals, regenerates land, and produces genuinely nutritious food. We're proud to raise pork the right way, even though it's more work. Because at the end of the day, that's what good stewardship looks like. And that's something worth bringing home to your table. Check out our: ✔️Corn & Soy Free ✔️ Vaccine, Drug, GMO-Free ✔️Heritage Breeds ✔️Woodland Raised PORK COLLECTION HERE: https://millersbiofarm.com/sto...

Eggnog's Medieval Magic

Well now, friends, let me tell you about eggnog - it's no yolk, this drink has been around forever! While history scholars are still whisking through different stories, most agree it sprouted from a Medieval drink called posset. Posset was hot milk curdled with wine or beer, served in a two-handled pot when folks caught the sniffles. Yup, that's right, I said sniffles. The warmth would settle your bones, the milk kept your strength up better than a day of plowing, and the alcohol and spices worked like nature's own medicine chest. Posset recipes were as varied as quilting patterns, every homestead had their own way to make it, and from this patchwork of kitchen wisdom grew a whole crop of milk based treasures, including... eggnog itself. Eggnog is a rich, chilled, sweet dairy drink that'll make you smile like you just finished morning milking. It's made with milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and spices, simple as that! Most folks only raise a glass during a short spell around Christmas. It was those fancy British folks in the 1700s who turned eggnog into a holiday tradition. They'd add expensive spirits and spices to milk to preserve it through winter (yep, aged eggnog, just like preserving pickles in the cellar). Eventually, eggnog crossed the ocean to the Thirteen Colonies. As times changed and food became easier to come by, common folk adopted it as a cherished holiday drink. Today, food is everywhere you look, but finding the right kind is harder than finding a needle in a haystack. Store-bought eggnog is stacked in every store, but I won't hitch my wagon to it. Store-bought eggnog is cooked up in factories to taste good and stay the same every time. But it's packed with additives, loaded with more sugar than a honey wagon, and has less than 2% egg yolks. Might as well call it milknog! And don't get me started on all that pasteurization business. If you've got the time, eggnog is easier than feeding chickens. Here's what you need: 4 egg yolks (fresh from the henhouse) ⅓ cup maple syrup (the real stuff, tapped honest) 2 cups raw milk (straight from Bessie, if you're blessed) 1 cup raw cream 1 tsp nutmeg (or whatever spices suit your fancy) 3 oz bourbon or rum (if you're of a mind to) You can mix these ingredients raw (like we do on the farm) or you can warm it up. Your barn, your rules. For a fuller eggnog, beat those yolks until they lighten like sunrise. Then fold in the rest. For a frothy eggnog that'll make you grin like a cat in the creamery, beat 4 egg whites until soft peaks form, then stir them into your finished batch. I highly recommend doing this whether you bought it from a farm stand or made it yourself. It's wonderful. So please, enjoy your eggnog this winter season. When you raise your glass, think on what you're celebrating. Toast to home remedies, good health, the wisdom of those who came before us, and honest food that comes from the land.

From Grass To Glow: Tallow Skin Care

Tallow might sound old-school, but this grass-fed goodness is pure skin food. Packed with vitamins A, D, E & K plus CLA, it mimics your skin’s natural fats for maximum absorption. The result? Happy, nourished, glowing skin, without the chemicals

Unanswered Questions from the RB51 Situation

More from the blog

From farm to fork: Understanding the value of sustainable pork

Eggnog's Medieval Magic

From Grass To Glow: Tallow Skin Care

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Miller's Bio Farm, 523 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566